All my life, I had been mesmerized by foreign culture and international politics. When I was 16 years old, I was selected to travel as a People to People Student Ambassador to Australia. This month long immersive program helped me to realize my passion for international studies and set the tone for a more global college experience then I ever could have imagined. 

 

I am proud to say that my time at UF has not just made me a gator, but it has allowed me to become a global gator. Likely the most important lesson I have learned throughout college is how interconnected we all are as global citizens. This has reminded me of the importance of treating everyone with genuine kindness and being continuously open minded and eager to learn. 

 

As I mentioned, as citizens of an ever-growing globalized world, we are undoubtedly interconnected. Recognizing this simple fact has sparked significant change in my day to day life. Personally, I have taken a significant interest in climate change and the effects of international aid on local communities. I have especially developed an interest in how NGOs work to combat these issues. 

 

I began exploring my interest in working with NGOs during a study abroad program to India. This experience allowed me to interact with a wide variety of NGOs in a meaningful way. In addition to meeting with NGO leaders, learning about organization management, and development policies, I found my passion for working with underserved communities. Following this study abroad program, I decided to add a minor in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance. 

 

Completing this minor allowed me to take classes such as Comparative World Agriculture and International Development Policy. These courses fostered an environment for pursuing a new found academic passion- international aid work. This coursework inspired me to gain more hands-on experience and thus laid the foundation and context for two internships which I completed during the spring and summer of my junior year. 

 

Through my internship with the Association for Integration and Migration (SIMI) I gained extensive knowledge on migration policies and programs particularly in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) allowed me to explore my academic and professional interests in the areas of migration and immigration in a more hands on and meaningful way. Through my previous experiences, I have been inspired to further learn about how I can continue to contribute to this field. 

 

After spending time abroad and working in areas around New York City with a wide variety of nonprofits, I returned to my senior year at UF wanting to impact the Gainesville community that gave me so much. In August, I began developing a sustainability challenge for over 5,000 students on campus. This is a feat I would have never dreamed of pursuing if it had not been for my understanding of how much our everyday actions effect our global community, especially when it comes to climate change. Similarly, I began volunteering with a local organization to combat food deserts and implement sustainability programming in a variety of at risk youth centers across Alachua county. 

 

Additionally, during my senior fall semester I participated in a conference entitled Assembly for Action. This program aimed to engage students to support the greater Gainesville community through service work and grant writing. At the conference, a variety of guests ranging from senators to representatives from NGOs such as United Way shared with us the importance of effective NGO management. This four-day event was incredibly impactful on my perspective of how our university interacts with the Gainesville community.  

 

The culmination of these experiences has inspired me to apply for several service based positions following graduation. I hope to work abroad for several years before pursuing a master’s degree in International Humanitarian Assistance.